Wolverhampton children amongst the brightest in the West Midlands

Youngsters across Wolverhampton have proved they are amongst the brightest students in the West Midlands.

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More Wolverhampton children are reaching expected levels of learning

Educational outcomes for the city’s young pupils have improved after primary school students received the ‘best ever’ results in assessments taken this year.

It means the number of Key Stage 1 pupils, aged between five and seven, who reached expected levels in reading, writing and mathematics has increased year-on-year.

More pupils attained the expected level in all three subjects than anywhere else in the Black Country and Birmingham, with Wolverhampton falling second to Solihull.

Councillor Claire Darke, Wolverhampton council’s cabinet member for education, said: “These are very good results and reflect the hard work of our schools, pupils and parents.

“They also demonstrate that the excellent work taking place between our school standards team and local schools to raise educational standards is having the desired effect.”

Figures released by the Department for Education revealed 75 per cent of the city’s 3,408 Key Stage 1 pupils reached the expected standard in mathematics this year.

This pushed Wolverhampton up to the 79th spot in a ranking of the 150 councils nationally, improving on last year’s position in 96th place.

Expected levels for reading were achieved by 74 per cent of youngsters, with Wolverhampton moving from 166th position to 96th. The city is now ranked 106th nationally in writing, compared to last year’s ranking at 155th position, after 66 per cent of children reached the required standard.

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Ms Darke added: “While we are pleased with the progress we are making, we will not rest on our laurels and will continue to work hard to improve outcomes still further for our children and young people.”

More children also reached expected levels in phonics after taking assessments in the classrooms this year, pushing Wolverhampton to 101st nationally rather than 2016’s 103rd position.

Provisional results for youngsters at Key Stage 2, aged between seven and 11, reveal Wolverhampton is ranked 92nd nationally, with 59 per cent of pupils reaching expected levels in reading, writing and mathematics.

This will put the city among the best performing authorities’ in the West Midlands, the council said.